How much does the subclass 500 student visa cost in 2026?
This is a significant increase compared to the fee that applied throughout most of 2025. The Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) increased the base charge as part of the broader 2026–27 visa pricing adjustment. Every applicant lodging a new Subclass 500 student visa after 1 July 2026 must pay the new rate, regardless of when they received their Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Additional secondary applicant charges also apply. A secondary applicant aged 18 or over is charged AUD $2,500, while a secondary applicant under 18 is charged a reduced rate of AUD $625. These are the charges payable at the time of lodgement and are non-refundable if the visa is refused.
| Applicant Type | Fee from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Main applicant (primary) | AUD $2,500 |
| Secondary applicant 18+ | AUD $2,500 |
| Secondary applicant under 18 | AUD $625 |
How much is the Australia student visa subclass 500 fee in 2026?
At VJ Consulting and Education, we have seen a consistent pattern of annual fee increases from DOHA over recent years, but the 2026–27 adjustment is among the steepest in recent memory. For context, the fee was AUD $1,600 in 2023, AUD $1,600 rising toward AUD $1,875 in 2024, and AUD $1,875 in the first half of 2025, before climbing again to AUD $2,500 from 1 July 2026.
Students who lodged before 1 July 2026 but have not yet received a decision are not required to pay the difference — the fee applicable is the one at the date of lodgement. However, any new application or re-lodgement after that date attracts the full AUD $2,500 charge.
📖 Subclass 500 Processing Times by Country & Evidence Level in 2026 →What is the subclass 500 visa application fee after July 1 2026?
The fee is payable in full at the time of online lodgement through the DOHA ImmiAccount portal. DOHA does not offer payment plans or deferred payment options — the charge must be paid using an accepted credit or debit card at submission. Applications without the correct fee payment will not be accepted by the system.
Students re-lodging after a refusal will also be required to pay the full AUD $2,500. This is an important financial consideration if your first application is refused and you intend to try again.
When did the Australia student visa fee increase to $2,500?
Australian visa application charges are reviewed annually and typically adjust from 1 July each year in line with the federal budget cycle and the Consumer Price Index (CPI), though recent years have seen increases well above CPI. The 1 July 2026 increase was confirmed by DOHA and reported widely in July 2026. This means any application lodged before 30 June 2026 attracted the previous lower rate, and any application lodged from 1 July 2026 onwards is subject to the new AUD $2,500 charge.
VJ Consulting monitors these changes as part of our ongoing compliance with migration law, and we advise all clients to lodge applications promptly when fee changes are imminent to avoid paying higher charges unnecessarily.
What is the new application fee for Australian student visa 500?
This fee covers only the government visa application charge (VAC). It does not include:
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — a separate mandatory requirement
- English language test fees (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc.)
- Tuition fees and enrolment deposits paid to your institution
- Biometrics collection fees where applicable
- Migration agent or consultant fees
When calculating the true upfront cost of applying for a student visa in 2026, students should budget at minimum AUD $3,500–$4,500 in addition to their first semester's tuition, once OSHC and other ancillary costs are factored in.
How much does the Australian student visa (subclass 500) cost in 2025?
The AUD $1,875 rate applied to applications lodged from 1 July 2025 through to 30 June 2026. Prior to that, from 1 July 2024, the fee was also AUD $1,875, representing a plateau before the sharp jump to AUD $2,500 in 2026. The historical fee progression helps demonstrate the trend of sustained increases in student visa costs in Australia.
| Period | Main Applicant Fee |
|---|---|
| Before 1 July 2023 | AUD $1,600 |
| 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024 | AUD $1,600 |
| 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025 | AUD $1,875 |
| 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026 | AUD $1,875 |
| From 1 July 2026 | AUD $2,500 |
How much does the Australian student visa subclass 500 cost in 2025?
Students who lodged in 2025 benefited from the lower fee, but those planning to apply or re-apply in 2026 and beyond must account for the new AUD $2,500 rate. If you received a refusal on a 2025 application and are now considering re-lodgement, your new application will be subject to the full AUD $2,500 charge, not the rate you originally paid.
This is why timely, well-prepared applications matter. At VJ Consulting and Education, we recommend completing your application documentation thoroughly before lodging to minimise the risk of refusals and costly re-lodgements at a higher fee.
What is the new Australia student visa fee for 2026-27?
For the 2026–27 financial year, DOHA has set the Subclass 500 visa application charge at AUD $2,500. This represents a 33% increase from the AUD $1,875 rate that applied in the two preceding financial years. The government has signalled this forms part of a broader strategy to manage international student volumes and recover the administrative costs of a high-volume visa program.
In addition to the Subclass 500 increase, fees across the student visa suite — including the Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa — have also increased. Families bringing a guardian to Australia to accompany a school-aged student should verify current Subclass 590 charges separately.
Will higher student visa fees reduce international students coming to Australia?
ICEF Monitor reported in July 2026 that visa applications from foreign students have fallen, prompting the government to set a national enrolment target for 2027. This reflects a deliberate policy shift away from volume-based international education growth toward quality-focused, sustainable intake numbers.
The fee increase to AUD $2,500 is not occurring in isolation. It sits alongside:
- Increased English language minimum scores for certain visa subclasses
- Tightened genuine student assessment criteria
- National enrolment caps proposed for the 2027 intake year
- Reduced processing speed in some evidence levels, creating uncertainty
Compared to competitor destinations, Australia is now among the more expensive English-language study destinations in terms of visa costs alone. The United States and Canada have also tightened their student visa settings in 2025–2026, but Australia's fee trajectory has been particularly steep.
For students who are genuinely committed to Australian study and a potential pathway to permanent residency, the higher fee remains worthwhile. Australia's post-study work rights through the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa and clear skilled migration pathways through the Subclass 189 or Subclass 190 still make it a competitive destination for those with a long-term migration plan.
📖 Student to PR Pathway: Best Courses & Visa Transitions in Australia →Does the 485 graduate visa fee increase affect subclass 500 holders transitioning?
The 2026–27 fee increases were not limited to the student visa. The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa application charge has also been revised upward for the 2026–27 financial year. This means a student who pays AUD $2,500 for their Subclass 500 and then lodges a Subclass 485 after graduation faces a double fee burden within a relatively short timeframe.
Students planning to transition from Subclass 500 to Subclass 485 should:
- Confirm the exact Subclass 485 fee at the time of their expected lodgement date (fees are set annually from 1 July)
- Ensure they meet all 485 eligibility requirements — including Australian study requirements and English benchmarks — before their Subclass 500 expires
- Understand that the 485 bridging visa (Bridging Visa A) grants work rights while the 485 application is being processed, but only if lodged before the student visa expires
How much are Australian student visa fees for Chinese applicants?
Australia does not apply differentiated visa fees by country of origin. Every applicant for the Subclass 500, regardless of whether they are from China, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Colombia, or any other country, pays the same AUD $2,500 application charge for the primary applicant.
However, Chinese applicants should be aware of several country-specific practical considerations:
| Consideration | Detail for Chinese Applicants |
|---|---|
| Evidence Level | China is typically assessed at Evidence Level 1 or 2 depending on the institution — confirm with your education provider |
| English Requirements | Standard English requirements apply; Duolingo is not accepted for student visa purposes |
| Genuine Student Requirement | Applicants must demonstrate genuine intention to study; DOHA may request a personal statement or interview |
| Financial Evidence | Funds must be demonstrated in a supported currency; CNY bank statements are accepted but must clearly show availability of funds for tuition and living costs |
| Processing Times | Processing times for Chinese applicants vary; Evidence Level 1 institutions generally experience faster processing |
At VJCE, we regularly assist Chinese nationals applying for Subclass 500 visas and can advise on evidence level implications, financial documentation standards, and how to present a strong genuine student case to DOHA. While the fee is the same as for any other nationality, the supporting documentation requirements and strategic approach to the application can significantly affect the outcome.
If you are planning your student visa application for 2026 or beyond and want professional guidance on the full cost picture, eligibility, and documentation strategy, contact VJ Consulting and Education for a consultation with one of our MARA-registered migration agents (MARN: 1791066).
